The FISU University World Cup 3×3 Basketball – Brasília 2025 continues to energize the weekend in the heart of Brasília’s Eixo Monumental. The arena set up exclusively for the event —right next to one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, the TV Tower— has been attracting everyone from passionate basketball fans to families looking to add something different to their Saturday plans.
In addition to the official court, where games run at full speed, the venue includes an area with activities such as foot-table (futmesa), ping-pong, and arcade games like air hockey and basketball shooters. The mix of attractions turns the space into an accessible, interactive meeting point, inviting passersby to stop, watch the matches, or simply enjoy the atmosphere.
Among visitors, the mood is one of discovery and surprise at the international scope of the tournament. Hyrllan Simões, who brought his family to spend the afternoon, explored every corner of the event. “It’s been a really fun event. I had never watched a 3×3 basketball game before. What impressed me the most is seeing teams from so many different countries here. The kids are all together, playing and getting involved. While we’re playing foot-table, the rest of the family is watching the games,” he said.
For Alexandre Santos, a former basketball player, the event is also a moment of inspiration. He brought his young son —who has just started practicing the sport— to watch the matches up close and understand the spirit of basketball. “It’s a great way to promote the sport and encourage kids. My son is starting to like basketball, so I brought him to show how exciting the game can be”.
He also highlighted the high level of the competitions. “The men’s game Lithuania vs. Australia was really well played. You can clearly see how skilled the athletes are. 3×3 world basketball is on a very strong level,” he commented about the thrilling match between Vytautas Magnus University and the University of Melbourne, which ended with the Lithuanian victory.
Basketball fans cheer intensely throughout the day
The tournament has also become a must-stop for tourists visiting the TV Tower. Brothers Paulo Eduardo and Emanuel Ewald, from Patos de Minas (Minas Gerais), were strolling along the Eixo Monumental when they came across the arena. While there, they were swept up by the energy of the crowd—applauding, cheering and reacting to the intense comebacks and twists in the matches.
Nineteen-year-old Paulo Eduardo, a major basketball fan who usually watches 3×3 online, couldn’t hide his excitement about seeing it live for the first time. “It’s my first time watching 3×3 in person, and it’s totally different from watching online or on social media. Live, the energy is so much stronger, and you realize how dynamic the sport really is,” he said.
His brother Emanuel, 15, experienced his first full 3×3 match. “I only knew it from brief clips on the internet. This is my first time watching a game from beginning to end, and I found it really exciting. The competition between the universities is intense.”
Another spectator fulfilling his dream of seeing 3×3 basketball up close was Marcos Anderson Treitinger, who didn’t take his eyes off the court during the electrifying game between Universidad Anáhuac (Mexico) and the University of Melbourne (Australia), where the Australians secured the win in the final seconds. “I love basketball, it’s my favorite sport. The emotion, the energy, the crowd’s excitement… especially in a game like this, decided in the last two-point shot, it’s impossible not to cheer,” he said.
FISU University World Cup 3×3 Basketball – Brasília 2025
The tournament runs through tomorrow at the TV Tower Esplanade, with free admission. Sunday’s program (16) begins at 10 a.m. and continues throughout the day with the decisive matches, including semifinals, finals, awards ceremony and the official closing.
The full schedule, including match times and pairings, is available on CBDU’s and FISU’s social media (@cbdu and @fisu) and on the official website 3x3basketball2025.fisu.net/schedulesresults. All games will also be streamed live on FISU’s official YouTube channel (FISUtv).
21 Nov
